10 Healthy Professional Espresso Machine Habits

How to Build a Professional Espresso Machine

For cafes and coffee shops seeking to attract customers with an interest in barista and espresso, this is a great choice. It's the official machine used for the World Barista Championships, and it shows.

It also has a reservoir for water so that the barista just has to refill it during their shift. The machine has hot water for tea and cool-touch steam wands.

Water

A commercial espresso machine has to be able to create a large volume of espresso-based drinks in a timely manner. This is why these machines are built with stainless steel which is more robust and resistant to scratches and break. Espresso machines made of stainless steel make it easier to maintain and clean.

Finally, a high-quality machine has a shut off valve for the water line, to prevent limescale build up. This will ensure that any repairs are made to the affected parts of the machine and won't impact the rest of your operation.

Check your water and make sure it's being treated correctly. You can remineralize the water you distill by adding a few minerals. It can enhance the taste and reduce its erosive qualities, but can also damage certain machines. The remineralized wate can make the boiler sensor believe that the machine is full however it's not. This can cause the machine to overheat and be damaged.

Grinder

The grinder is a key element of the success of an espresso machine with frother machine. The grinder turns the unground, raw coffee bean into a finely ground coffee that can be tamped properly into the filter basket for the Best cheap espresso machine extraction.

Commercial-grade espresso machines usually have a built-in grinder which can be programmed to grind for different drink sizes, ensuring the same results every time. Super-automatic espresso machines take this one step further, implementing automation and programmable the entire process from brewing to grinding to dispensing. These kinds of machines usually get high marks in Lab tests for their hands-off accessibility.

Manual or semi-automatic machines require more effort from the barista, but the results are worth it. This model was awarded the 2022 Good Housekeeping Coffee Award for its smart dosing feature that weighs and dispenses the correct amount of ground coffee every time. It also has an infusion with low pressure for an even extraction, and a milk frother that produced thick, rich steamed milk in our tests.

Temperature

When it is about espresso, temperature plays a major influence on the taste and quality of your shots. If the temperature of your water isn't at a good degree, it can cause extraction to be hindered and may even result in an unpleasant cup.

Luckily, the best espresso machines come with tools that enable you to keep your water at the right temperature. A PID monitors and regulates temperature of the water. Double boiler systems are another way to accomplish this. This allows you to use one boiler for steam and tea and the other for heating water to the right temperature for brewing.

Carles states that these kinds of systems can make a difference for large companies as well as home baristas. They make it easier for novices to get the perfect espresso because they maintain an accurate temperature and avoid a lot of the variables that can alter the flavor profile. It is also easier for baristas who have more experience to make their espressos just how they would like.

Pressure

The pressure an espresso machine utilizes can affect the quality of the coffee it produces. Many espresso drinkers notice that their coffees taste different based on the pressure used, even when all other elements remain the same.

The majority of commercial machines utilize 9 bars of pressure to brew espresso. These machines also tend to be pump-driven rather than steam-driven. Although high-pressure machines are offered but they require a group head that is more complicated to handle the increased levels of pressure.

Although you might see espresso machines advertising 15 or even 18 bars of pressure, nine bars are generally regarded as the gold standard for making consistently great brews. These higher-pressure machines tend to be less expensive and designed for home use.

In comparison, 9 bars of pressure is four times greater than the pressure exerted by your car tire. The greater pressure a professional espresso machine can put on and the more effective it will be at removing the flavor from your favorite coffee beans. This is why it's worth investing in a high-quality machine that can deliver the highest quality results.

Barista Skills

A barista should be able to accept and process orders from customers quickly and accurately. This is especially important in busy times at the coffee shop. Good customer service skills is also essential for building customer relationships and increasing business for the shop. This can include acknowledging regular customers, working to resolve issues efficiently and remaining positive and amiable in tough situations.

A strong ability to multitask is often required for a barista, as they may be required to take orders and operate the cash register and communicate orders to colleagues and take phone calls at the same time. This ability allows orders to be moving quickly to the customer and will allow them to have an enjoyable time in the coffee shop.

It is essential for a barista's knowledge to be able to prepare various drinks using an espresso machine. You can learn about the various types of espresso by studying about them, trying them in person, and watching online videos. Many baristas find it beneficial to attend classes on the topic, which are provided by various organizations.